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On the Ballot: Initiatives that Impact Your Rights
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Issues In-Depth: 10/31/2000 - In Maine, voters have the opportunity to ratify a gay and lesbian rights measure passed by the state legislature. Measure 6 would extend protection against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and credit to "all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation." In 1997, after an intense right wing campaign, Maine voters vetoed an anti-discrimination law, but recent polls show Measure 6 has widespread voter support: 66 percent favor the measure, with 22 percent opposed and 12 percent undecided. Colorado voters will face another anti-abortion ballot measure this year: Amendment 25, misleadingly dubbed the "Women's Health Information Act." The measure, supported by the far-right group Focus on the Family, would require a 24-hour waiting period for all abortions, would require the state to produce and provide to doctors specific information to be offered to women seeking abortions that outline "an abortion's risks, what a fetus might feel, local adoption agencies, the father's financial responsibilities, and much more." Doctors would also be required to provide statistics on how many women watched or read these materials, and how many then decided to have an abortion; doctors who did not comply would be committing a felony. A recent poll of likely voters in Colorado shows 49 percent opposing the restrictions and 48 percent in support - a change from a September poll that showed 56 percent of voters supported Amendment 25 and only 35 percent opposed it. This tight race mirrors the 1998 elections, when Colorado voters narrowly rejected a ban on late term abortions 52 percent to 48 percent. Colorado is the only state facing an anti-abortion ballot measure after successful pro-choice defeats of anti-abortion measures in Washington State and Oregon. Be sure to visit Women's Election Central, an online election night watch at www.feminist.org. Women's Election Central will track emerging results of women's races around the country and provide analysis of the gender gap. Feminist.org: Your daily source for the feminist perspective on national and global events. Media Resources: Feminist Majority Foundation - November 4, 1998; Portland Press Herald - October 7 and September 27, 2000; Denver Post - October 30, 2000; NARAL; Human Rights Campaign; Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report - October 31, 2000 |
Abortion-Related Initiatives
LOST Amendment 25 (CO): Mandatory Abortion Waiting Period
Amendment 25 is an anti-choice measure disguised as a "Women's Right to Information" measure, and would require a woman to view or read state-produced materials 24 hours before having an abortion. The measure includes specific language requiring physicians to dicuss the "anatomical and physiological characteristics of unborn children," and is an attempt to further restrict women's access to necessary reproductive health care. A 'No" vote protects a woman's right to choose.
Lesbian and Gay Rights-Related Initiatives
LOST Measure 6 (ME): Anti-Discrimination
Law Covering Sexual Orientation
Measure 6 is a pro-lesbian and gay ballot initiative that would amend the Maine Human Rights Act to make discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit. A "Yes" vote extends existing state anti-discrimination protections to gay, lesbian, and bisexual people.
LOST Measure 9 (OR): Prohibition Against
Teaching LGBT Issues in Schools
Measure 9 is an anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender measure that prohibits "school intstruction encouraging, promoting, or sanctioning homosexual, bisexual behaviors." If enacted, schools failing to comply with the measure -- including elementary schools, secondary schools, and community colleges -- would lose all or part of their state fundings. A "No" vote affirms LGBT rights and allows teachers to present age-appropriate, inclusive cirricula to their students.
PASSED Initiated Measure 416 (NE): Ban on Same-Sex Marriage and
Civil Union
Measure 416 would amend the Nebraska State Constitution to specify that :"only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized." The measure further stipulates that any other form of same-sex relationship will not be recognized. A "No" vote does not legalize same-sex partnership, but protects LGBT individuals from discrimination.
PASSED Question 2 (NV): Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
Question 2 would amend the Nevada State Constitution to define marriage as a union between "a male and female [sic] person." A "No" vote protects lesbian and gay rights.
